While he thrived on loan at Leeds United and then did equally well for Brighton and Hove Albion, it was Ben White’s €58 million move to Arsenal that turned heads. It had many wondering why the Gunners had paid that much for the English defender although three years later and White has paid that faith. The now 26-year-old is an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s squad and has thrived as a right-back since the move to the Emirates.
However, despite White doing well for Arsenal, the 26-year-old defender has found appearances for England hard to come by with Gareth Southgate rarely picking him. White has only four caps to his name and only started three of those games with the English international rarely given a chance. It has seen fans and critics alike hit out at Southgate although many expected the Three Lions boss to pick White for the upcoming international break.
England Team News: Gareth Southgate reveals Ben White’s request
However, while Joe Gomez, Ezri Konsa and Jarrad Branthwaithe all earned deserved call-ups, Ben White’s name was called out by Gareth Southgate. But the England boss later explained that it was because White asked not to be considered for England. Southgate never revealed why the Arsenal defender did that and also asserted that there is no issue with Steve Holland and White.
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There were rumours that Holland and White clashed during the 2022 World Cup which was why the defender left the England camp early due to what was later classified as “personal reasons”. He also admitted that if that wasn’t the case, White would have been picked on the basis of his excellent recent form but that the door is open to the 26-year-old whenever he wants to make his return.
“It’s absolutely the question you should ask because on form, I can’t sit here and say he doesn’t deserve to be in. We had a call from Edu saying Ben didn’t want to be considered for England at this time,” Southgate said, reported the Daily Mail.
“It’s a great shame, he’s a player I really like. I spoke to him post-Qatar because I was keen to pick him and there was reticence on his side. I don’t know why that is but I have to respect that and I want to leave the door open to him.
“He’s not available to us but the other thing I would say is there’s no issue between us at all and never any issue with Steve Holland because that has been mentioned and I don’t like that.”